Folding crate



Aq'g. 28, 1938. 1,682,489

T. D. DRSHIMER FOLDING CRATE Filed Aug. 8o. 1926 inl Patented Aug. 2s, 1928.

PA TEN T oFFlcE.,

TITUS D. DEBSHIMER, F CLARKS SUMMIT, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING CRATE.

Application lcd August 30, 1926. Serial No. 132,606.

This invention relates to shipping receptacles and more particularly to a crate which, when not in use or being returned to the shipper, may be folded into a compact mass.

One object of the invention is to provide the crate with side and end walls which may be securely but releasably retained in an upright position and easily released and folded against the bottom of the crate when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to so mount the Walls that, when folded, the end walls may rest upon the upper face of the bottom and the side walls disposed beneath the bottom against its under face.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanyng drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective View of the improved crate;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the crate;

Fig. 3 is a. transverse sectional view through the crate when folded, and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the crate.

The crate, which is shown in perspective in Fig. 1, includes a bottom l, side walls 2 and end walls 3. The bottom consists of a suitable number of slats or strips 4 which are preferably formed of wood, although other materials may be employed, and are suitably secured upon cross strips 5. Cross strips have only been shown at the ends of the strips 4, but it will be understood that, if desired, other cross strips may be provided intermediate the length of the bottom. The side and end walls are also formed of spaced slats or strips 6 and 7 joined at their ends by cross strips 8 and 9 disposed vertically when the walls are upright. In order to mount the side and end walls for swinging movement from an upright to arfolded position, there has been provided hinges 10 and 11 which are secured to the bottom and lower portions of the walls. The hinges 10 are engaged withthe under face of the bottom, whereas the hinges 11 are attached to its upper face. It will thus be seen that, when folded, the side Walls will be sWungdownwa-rdly from the position shown in Fig. 2 and disposed beneath Ythe bottom, as shown in Fig. 3, whereas the end walls will be swung down- Wardly and rest upon the upper face of the bottom. Hooks 12 are carried by the side Y walls adjacent their ends and adapted to be engaged in eyes 13 carried by the end Walls so that the walls may be securely retained 1n an upright position but permitted to be easily released when the crate is to be folded. I have, therefore, provided a crate which may be securely retained in a set up position for use but folded into a very compact mass when emptied so that it may be stored in a small space vor conveniently returned to the shipper.

In Fig. 4, there has been shown a folding crate formed of metal. The bottom 14 includes a metal frame 15 to which longitudinally and transversely extending wires 16 and 17 are rigidly secured by soldering or in an other desired manner. The wires 16V and 17 are vinterwoven and co-operate with the frame 15 to form a very strong bottom for the crate. The side and end walls 18 and 19 are 0f a similar construction and each includes a metal bordering frame 20 carrying longitudinally and transversely extending wires 21 which are interwoven similar to the wires 16- and 17. The walls are connected with the bottom byl rings 22 so that they may be swung from an upright to a foldedposit-ion. Similar rings 23 and 24 are carried by the meeting ends of the side and end walls and are adapted to receive a securing rod or pin 25 which, when in place, is disposed vertically and securely but releasably retain the walls upright. It will, of course, be understood that a rod 25 is employed at each corner of the crate. These rods are to be removed when the walls are folded and, therefore, each has its upper end formed into an eye 26 by means of which it may be grasped and easily removed. The eye also serves to prevent the rod from sliding downwardly out of engagement with the rings carried by the walls. Having thus described the invention, I claim: y

' A receptacle comprising a bottom, side and end walls, each including an open bordering frame of rod metal and interwoven wires carried thereby, rings loosely connecting the bordering frames of said walls with the frame of said bottom and mounting the -walls'for swinging movement from an upright position to a folded position against the bottom, rings loosely carried by the frames of said walls to form a bead disposed above the walls whereby the pin may be gripped and slid longitudinally into and out of the rings 10 at the ends of the walls.

4In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

TITUS D. DERSHIMER. [11.5.] 

